Emergence 03 (2024) illuminates the neural structure of the brain with vibrant yellows and blues, evoking the scattering of galaxies across the cosmos. Radiating outward, the composition forms a chaotic yet interconnected web of neural pathways, mirroring the cosmic patterns of dark matter. By juxtaposing the brain’s microcosm with the universe’s macrocosm, the painting reveals an underlying order within apparent disorder, inviting reflection on their profound connections. Inspired by holographic theory and Hindu mythology, Tan Mu envisions the universe as a vast hologram, where the whole is reflected in both collective and individual parts. Could the human brain, with its intricate neural network and capacity for knowledge, embody a microcosm of the cosmos itself? This question drives a deeper exploration of the parallels between the brain’s architecture and the universe’s hidden patterns. With its one hundred billion neurons and one hundred trillion connections, Emergence magnifies this miniature universe within the human body. As dark matter and the essence of life remain enigmatic, the painting bridges the physical and metaphysical, offering a portal to explore the unknown depths of both the universe and the self.

Q: What inspired your interest in the neural structure of the brain?

Tan Mu: My interest began with a personal experience of cerebral hypoxia during a deep dive, which temporarily impaired my memory. Subsequent traumatic experiences further disrupted my ability to recall certain events. These moments made me acutely aware of how fragile memory is and how deeply it is tied to the physical structure of the brain. This led directly to the creation of MRI (2021).

In Emergence, I shifted my focus toward neurons as the fundamental units of communication within the brain. Neurons are responsible for processing information, controlling movement, and forming thoughts and memories. Their structure allows them to receive, transmit, and store signals across vast networks. Observing this system, I began to see the brain as a highly efficient and complex organ, functioning in many ways like an advanced computational system built from billions of interconnected elements.

Q: The human brain is often compared to a highly efficient computer. How do you understand this analogy, especially in relation to technological development?

Tan Mu: My work examines the intersection between biological and technological systems through the idea of a “fabric of memory.” I distinguish between internal memory and external memory. Internal memory exists within the body, such as neural networks in the brain, while external memory refers to systems that store collective human knowledge, including data centers and undersea fiber optic cables.

In Synaptic (2023), I draw a direct comparison between synapses in the brain and logic circuits in computers. Both rely on on and off mechanisms to regulate the flow of information. This logic extends further when we consider how neural networks resemble global communication systems, structured through nodes, lines, and pathways. Similarly, a computer motherboard mirrors the organizational logic of the brain, with chips and circuits controlling electrical signals in a way that parallels synaptic transmission.

Works such as MRI (2021), Memory (2019), Emergence (2022), Emergence 2, 3 (2024), Logic Circuit (2022), the Signal series, and Synaptic (2023) form a continuous investigation into memory, connection, and disconnection. Together, they approach technology not as something separate from humanity, but as an extension shaped by emotion, materiality, and lived experience.

Q: Do you see parallels between the human brain and the evolving capabilities of artificial intelligence?

Tan Mu: I have always intuitively sensed a deep connection between the human brain and artificial intelligence. This intuition was reinforced when I encountered the research paper The Geometry of Concepts: Sparse Autoencoder Feature Structure. The paper examines how large language models process cognition in ways that resemble specialized regions of the human brain, such as those responsible for visual recognition or logical reasoning.

It describes knowledge as a multidimensional point cloud, a universe of concepts distributed across space. What struck me was how closely this structure mirrors patterns found at different scales, from atoms to neural networks to galaxies. This hidden structural logic is precisely what my work seeks to visualize. From Atom (2020) to MRI (2021) and Gaze: Observable Infinity (2024), my paintings explore these parallels intuitively, linking the microscopic, the cognitive, and the cosmic. Realizing that contemporary mathematical models align with these visual structures added a deeper layer to my ongoing exploration.

Q: The vivid blue and yellow tones in Emergence are striking. Do these colors carry specific meaning in relation to neural communication?

Tan Mu: I use strong color contrasts to visualize neural communication. The blue tones represent neurons, with axons and dendrites extending outward to form dense networks. These branching forms emphasize the complexity and connectivity of the nervous system. Surrounding them are luminous particles that suggest the constant activity of neural signals moving through space.

Visually, neurons resemble massive trees or glowing marine organisms, and at times they echo images of galaxies suspended in the universe. This resemblance allows me to draw connections between biological structures and cosmic phenomena. Through color and form, I aim to evoke both scientific understanding and a sense of wonder, encouraging viewers to reflect on the invisible networks that shape consciousness and life itself.